Forest Health workshop participants © Anya Byers

This new Network combines several ongoing forest and fire hazard reduction projects in Colorado, including some that cross over boundaries into neighboring states. Many of these projects are well-established and are willing to share their experiences with those that are just beginning their work. Some of the projects consider only hazard reduction, while others take a broader view of forest conditions and restoration.

In 2008 the group will:

• peer review the science, economics, operations, procedures and practices used by each site for plan development and implementation;
• identify barriers to implementation for each project, and those that are common to many; and
• complete a work plan to guide management from 2009 onward.

Project Vision

Joining the US Fire Learning Network provides this complex geographic area the opportunity to use defined procedures to develop a collaborative vision for the area. The Network can absorb lessons learned from other Network sites and current collaborations in this region to address numerous factors, such as statewide forest and fire issues and barriers to implementation.

Partners

The Network's 2008 work plan was developed by a team spanning many disciplines and sectors.  In addition to The Nature Conservancy, partners came from the government agencies including the Bureau of Land Management, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado State Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service and USDA Forest Service, from Colorado State University and Ft. Lewis College, and from the Colorado Forest Restoration Institute and the Culebra Coalition.

Participating landscapes and projects include the Northern Colorado Beetle Co-op, Culebra Coalition, Larimer County Partnership, Upper South Platte Coalition, Four Corners Sustainable Forests Partnership, Front Range Fuels Treatment Partnership, Lake County CWPP, Clear Creek County CWPP and Jefferson County Open Space.

Leader: Mike Babler